Visual spill indicator

A composition for indicating visually or photometrically a presence of a fluid organic substance, said composition comprising a hydrophobic, and organophilic or oleophilic dye, which shows, develops or releases a color with said substance when contacted with a suitable amount of said substance, from activity consisting essentially of dissolving of the dye in said substance, and not from contact with water;

• in conjunction with a matrix, paste, support or web;
• wherein:
• a fluid organic spill absorbing material is present, which contains water insoluble, particulate organic polymer particles that can imbibe liquid organic materials;
• and
• the matrix, paste, support or web includes at least one of the following:
• a water-dissolving paper, which envelopes at least some of the dye;
• and
• a microfiber cloth.

A device useful for ascertaining a presence of a fluid organic substance comprising:

• a bay at a location at which is located a composition for indicating visually or photometrically a presence of said substance, said composition including a hydrophobic, and organophilic or oleophilic dye, which shows, develops or releases a color with said substance when contacted with a suitable amount of said substance, from activity consisting essentially of dissolving of the dye in said substance, and not from contact with water;
• in conjunction with a matrix, paste, support or web;
• wherein:
• a fluid organic spill absorbing material is present, which contains water insoluble, particulate organic polymer particles that can imbibe liquid organic material, materials;
• and
• said dye is external said particles;
• and
• means for providing a light-transmissive pathway in communication with the location and a detection site external the bay location, wherein the means for providing the light-transmissive pathway includes the following:
• a first, constructed, light-incoming pathway to the bay through which light from a light source can be directed and pass to be targeted onto said composition;
• the light source;
• and
• a second, constructed, light-outgoing pathway for directing reflected light from said composition away from the bay to the detection site.

In combination, a composition for indicating visually or photometrically a presence of a liquid organic substance, said composition comprising a hydrophobic, and organophilic or oleophilic dye, which shows, develops or releases a color with said substance when contacted with a suitable amount of said substance, from activity consisting essentially of dissolving of the dye in said substance, and not from contact with water;

• in conjunction with a matrix, paste, support or web;
• wherein:
• a liquid organic spill absorbing material is present;
• and
• a container having an outer foraminous cover through which said substance can pass to come into contact with said composition and material, which container contains said composition and material inside when said substance is passed therethrough.

In a hollow packaging unit for carrying inside thereof a container having therein an organic liquid substance, which container may accidentally leak or fracture to release said substance, wherein the hollow packaging unit carries inside thereof the container having said substance, the improvement comprising:

• an outside window to observe the inside of the hollow unit;
• a liquid organic spill absorbing material inside the unit, which material includes a polymeric bead absorbent that includes a crosslinked alkylstyrene and that, upon squeezing, resists release of any of said substance that is absorbed;
• and
• a hydrophobic, and organophilic or oleophilic dye in conjunction with a matrix, paste, support or web in conjunction with at least one of the hollow unit carrying inside thereof the container having said substance, and the liquid organic spill absorbing material inside the unit;
• which dye shows, develops or releases a color with said substance when contacted with a suitable amount of said substance, from activity consisting essentially of dissolving of the dye in said substance, and not from contact with water;
• so that a presence of said substance spilled outside the container can be indicated visually or photometrically.

A composition for indicating visually or photometrically a presence of a fluid organic substance, said composition comprising a hydrophobic, and organophilic or oleophilic dye, which shows, develops or releases a color with said substance when contacted with a suitable amount of said substance, from activity consisting essentially of dissolving of the dye in said substance, and not from contact with water;

• in conjunction with a matrix, paste, support or web;
• wherein:
• a fluid organic spill absorbing material is present, which contains water insoluble, particulate organic polymer particles that can imbibe liquid organic materials;
• the dye is external said particles;
• and
• the dye is selected from at least one of the class of anthracene, azo, anthraquinone, pyrazolone, and quinone dyes.